How to Make a Paper Airplane (Concorde Style)

Steps

1. 1. Fold the Paper in Half to Crease the Center Line

   Lay your paper down with the long side running away from you. Fold the right edge over to meet the left edge so the paper folds in half lengthwise.

   Tip: Crisp creases matter more than you'd think. A soft crease causes the paper to bow later when you stack layers. Press hard and slow.

   

2. 2. Fold Both Long Edges In Toward the Center Crease

   Take the right edge of the paper and fold it inward toward the center crease, but stop just short - leave a small gap between the edge and the center line. Do the exact same thing on the left side.

   Tip: Aim for about a one-eighth inch gap. Not a precise measurement - just enough that you can see daylight between the two edges.

   

3. 3. Fold the Edges In Again to Shape the Narrow Dart Body

   Take the new outer edge on the right side and fold it inward toward the inner edge you just made. Don't reach the center - try to land this fold right on top of the layer behind it.

   Tip: Each successive fold lands a little short of the layer behind it. If you're hitting the layer dead-on, you're folding too far - back up half a paper-thickness.

   

4. 4. Fold the Pointed Concorde Nose for Fast Flight

   Open the top layer slightly so you can see where the first fold flap intersects the center crease. Put your finger right on that intersection point.

   Tip: This is the trickiest fold in the whole sequence.

   

5. 5. Roll the Back Layers Over the Inner Edges

   Look at the back of the plane where the inner edges meet. Grab the back layer on the right side and roll it over the inner edge, making a small crease that runs along that edge and stops at the center.

   Tip: Match the two rolls by length, not by feel. If one crease runs further toward the center than the other, the body sits crooked and the finished plane curves in flight.

   

6. 6. Make the Jet Fold to Lock the 3D Plane Body

   Hold the plane and gently bring both sides together so the paper naturally wants to stand up. You'll feel it click into a 3D shape with a body running down the center.

   Tip: If the plane resists the jet fold, your back creases from the last step probably need to be sharper. Re-roll them and try again.

   

7. 7. Fold the Wings Down Along the Body Line

   Lay the plane on its side. Fold the top wing down along the body line so it lies flat parallel to the table.

   Tip: The wing fold runs right along the top of the body, not down the side. If your wings hang at an angle, the body line wasn't your fold guide.

   

8. 8. Stand the Tail Fin and Bend the Wing Tabs Up to Fly Far

   Find the small back triangle in the middle of the body and fold it so it stands up vertically. Press the crease the opposite way to lock it upright.

   Tip: If the plane noses straight down, bend the elevator up more. If it stalls and falls flat, bend the elevator down. Tune by feel.